Capitol Radiology Sues UMMS, Alleges Unfair Bidding Process
Black-owned radiology clinic Capitol Radiology is suing the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) and alleges that UMMS had an unfair bidding process that will allow RadNet, a Los Angeles-based company started in 1981, to provide imaging services just 50 yards from Capitol Radiology’s outpatient center in Laurel.
Dr. Doriann Thomas, who has operated in that location for nearly 20 years, believes this will have a negative impact on the business.
“UMMS knew that locating an outpatient radiology facility on the Laurel campus would have a substantially adverse effect on the Black- and female-owned Capitol Radiology,” attorneys wrote in a complaint filed on July 31 with the Prince George’s Circuit Court. “On information and belief, it excluded Capitol Radiology from bidding on the joint venture opportunity precisely because it was Black- and female-owned, and therefore likely to prevail under state bidding rules. Creating a competing outpatient radiology center on the Laurel campus, and excluding Capitol Radiology from the bidding process, violated the applicable anti-discrimination laws.”
Former Laurel Mayor Craig Moe sent a letter in April 2023 to UMMS President and CEO Nathaniel Richardson Jr., noting that UMMS had closed the Laurel Regional Hospital and would negatively impact a local Black-owned business by partnering with RadNet.
Thomas believes that she operates the only Black-owned radiology clinic in the County, and possibly on the entire East Coast.
However, Judge William A. Snoddy denied the request to halt the UMMS center from opening on Aug. 9.
“Upon consideration of Capitol Radiology’s motion and the record in this matter, the court finds that plaintiff has failed to convince the court why it should order a party to do or refrain from doing certain acts before the final determination of this case under the four-factor test for interlocutory injunction,” wrote Circuit Court Judge Snoddy.
The University of Maryland issued a brief statement to Radiology Business following the filed complaint.
“While we cannot comment on pending litigation, the University of Maryland Capital Region Health is a mission-driven organization focused on providing high-quality, safe, and compassionate care to residents of Prince George’s County,” said a UMMS spokesman. “In general, expanding and enhancing access to care and increasing healthcare options for the community, giving individuals choice and flexibility, is part of our strategic approach and among our top priorities.”
Prince George’s Hosts Annual Film Festival
This year was the third annual Prince George’s Film Festival, bringing together animators, actors, directors, and film fans to celebrate local achievements, network, and discuss the animation and movie industry.
The film festival hosted a free community screening of “The Game That Changed College Basketball” at the Greenbelt Cinema on Sept. 25 and a red-carpet reception and opening night premiere screening of “Albany Road” at Prince George’s Community College was held the following day.
Further, Bowie State hosted panels on how immersive media, virtual reality, AI and other technology is changing how films are produced and held a networking session on Sept. 28.
“We have some of the top African American animators participating in the Prince George’s Film Festival at Bowie State University on Saturday. All of the speakers bring decades of experience in animation and will provide session attendees and our students with insight into where the industry is going,” said Department of Fine and Performing Arts Chair Tewodross Williams, before the event kicked off. “We’re looking forward to our neighbors from Prince George’s County and friends from around the Mid-Atlantic Region attending the film festival.”
Panelists at Bowie State included “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” writer Tiffany Thomas, Mattel TV Creative animation head Sydney Clifton; Afro Animation Conference founder Keith White, and Magic Carpet Animation Studios owner Ferdy Adimefe.
Actress, director and producer Victoria Rowell served as the featured guest at the festival’s Closing Celebration Brunch and participated in conversation at the MGM National Harbor Hotel and Casino’s Grand Ballroom on Sept. 29.
This year’s festival, sponsored by WPGC 95.5, Adobe, Bowie State University, and the Maryland Department of Commerce, also included 61 movies for screening, such as:
- “Spirit of Woo,” a documentary on the Virginia State University cheerleading team
- “Spawns,” a narrative feature on a family rivalry
- “Get On The Bus!,” a documentary exploring the African-American experience
- “Just in Time,” a student film about the journey to find a missing child
- “Move When The Spirit Says Move: The Legacy of Dorothy Foreman Cotton,” a documentary on the highest-ranking woman in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Bowie Business Innovation Center Celebrates 10th Cohort of Accelerator Program
The Bowie Business Innovation Center (BIC), the only business accelerator program based out of a Maryland historically Black college or university (HBCU), is celebrating the 10th cohort of its 8(a) program. They are partnered with Bowie State University.
The BIC’s 8(a) Accelerator Program fast-tracks federal government contracts for women-, veteran- and minority-owned contractors certified by the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program. The seven-week online program provides access to mentoring and networking to increase contract awards and helps participants develop strategies.
“This Center will expand the Bowie BIC 8(a) Accelerator Program model through America’s HBCU network and provide procurement capture strategy training, 8(a) mentorship programs, access to commercial online market intelligence tools, and access to legal expertise in government contracting, and new opportunities for student internships and faculty researchers,” said BIC Executive Director June Evans.
Evans explained the work and influence of BIC on businesses.
“Working with public sector, university, and corporate partners, we impact business growth and maturity through scale-up and accelerator programs,” she said. “At the heart of our approach is innovation, helping small businesses develop and implement growth strategies to thrive in emerging markets.”
While there already have been 10 cohorts, Evans foresees future growth and success for businesses that are able to partner with the BIC.
“This Center of Excellence will also strengthen America’s HBCU network. It will build capacity at HBCUs by creating a new, innovative ‘infrastructure’ of successful, diverse, and inclusive government contracting activity that will attract private sector capital to the HBCUs,” Evans continued. “It also would generate new jobs and wealth creation for the communities served by HBCUs.”